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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Hunting Regulations 2017-2018

Welcome to Merritt Island National going afield. Listed below are Refuge- Wildlife Refuges must comply with Wildlife Refuge specific regulations that pertain to Merritt all provisions of Federal, State, and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Island NWR for waterfowl hunting. These local law. Persons may only discharge (MINWR/ Refuge) was established in regulations may be modified annually or firearms in accordance with Refuge 1963 as an overlay of the John F. Kennedy as habitat, populations, or other conditions regulations. Space Center (KSC). Some areas of the change. Violation of regulations may n Licenses, permits, all hunting Refuge can be closed by NASA for safety result in the loss of hunting privileges. We equipment and effects such as vehicles or security purposes. Individuals found allow hunting of ducks, mergansers, and and/or other conveyances are subject inside NASA’s “normal” or “expanded” coots in designated areas of the Refuge to inspection by law enforcement restricted areas are subject to arrest. subject to the following conditions: officials. Merritt Island NWR and KSC maintain License and Permits the right to close any portion of the refuge Equipment n Hunters must carry a valid State- n Each hunter may only possess 25 shells for any length of time. In that case, we issued Merritt Island NWR ‘Waterfowl will not refund or reissue any permits. during one hunt day which includes Quota Permit’, which can be purchased both vehicles and boats. The tremendous variety of habitats found through the Fish and Wildlife on the Refuge and its location on the Conservation Commission (FWC) n Only steel shot or other approved non- Atlantic Flyway makes the Refuge an while hunting in areas 1 or 4 toxic shot is allowed. Possession of lead important wintering area for migratory from the beginning of the regular or other toxic shot is prohibited. birds. Common species include lesser waterfowl season through January n We prohibit construction of permanent scaup, teal, wigeon, and coots. 31. The Quota Hunt Permit is a limited blinds or digging into dikes. Waterfowl hunting is permitted on 36,000 entry/quota permit, area-specific, and n Drones and Unmanned Aircraft acres of the Refuge. The remainder of the nontransferable. Systems (UAS) are NOT allowed on Refuge is closed to hunting to protect non- n Hunters must possess and carry a the Refuge. game birds and endangered species and to current, signed Refuge brochure Scouting permit other recreational activities. The permit. waters of the Banana River are closed n Boats must remain within the to hunting at all times. Concentrations n We require an adult, age 18 or older, to perimeter impoundment ditch and may of waterfowl occur in the open waters of supervise hunters age 15 and younger. not be in the interior while scouting. Mosquito and in the brackish and The adult must remain within sight n Hunters must carry their valid Quota fresh water impoundments during the and normal voice contact of the youth Hunt Permit identifying the permitted fall and winter. Please see map on back hunter at all times. Three total guests hunt area and dates while scouting for details. There is a color maps on our are allowed per permit. areas 1 and 4. website at: www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_ n Hunters must have on their person all n Hunters must be in possession of all Island. applicable Florida hunting licenses and required State and Federal licenses, Waterfowl-Specific Hunting Regulations permits and must comply with State stamps, and permits while scouting. Waterfowl hunting on the Refuge is requirements for hunter-education courses. n Hunters may not possess hunting in accordance with State and Federal equipment while scouting such as guns, Migratory Bird Regulations. Hunters n Persons possessing, transporting, ammo, decoys, etc. should consult these regulations before or carrying firearms on National

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 2683 Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Titusville, FL 32781 Waterfowl Hunt Permit 2017 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island 321/861 0669 Visitor Center Name:______Print U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD Address:______(I have read and understand all Refuge hunting regulations.) September 2017 ______Signature (This permit is only valid when signed.) In case of emergency call 321/867 7911 Federal Wildlife Officer 407-275-4150_7 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Harvest prohibited from the . How to Apply n We allow hunting of ducks, n Two poll & troll zones are delineated To apply for a Merritt Island NWR permit mergansers, and coots in designated with buoys in (see online go to www.MyFWC.com/hunting, areas of the Refuge in accordance with map). Use of internal combustion (go “Apply for Limited Entry/ Quota State and Federal Migratory Bird engines is prohibited within zones. Permit” then choose “Merritt Island Regulations. Outside the designated running lanes, National Wildlife Refuge”) or complete n The use of trained dogs to retrieve vessels may be propelled by push- the application worksheet and present it is encouraged. However, dogs must poles, paddles, or electric motors only. to a licensed agent or tax collector office. remain under owner’s control at all Season: 2017-2018 Florida residents applying though the times. n We allow hunting on Wednesdays, internet must have a valid Florida driver’s n Hunters must report all hunting Saturdays, Sundays, and license or ID card to be considered a activities at one of the two check Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New resident. Youth, active duty military, stations, including both successful Year’s Day; provided they fall within resident disabled customers, and and non-successful hunts, prior to the State’s waterfowl season. residents age 65 or older that do not have an active Florida Driver’s license or ID leaving the Refuge and no later than Early teal: September 16-24, 2017 1 pm. card must apply at a licensed agent or tax First Phase: November 18-26, 2017 collector office to show alternate proof. n We prohibit accessing a hunt area from Black Point Wildlife Drive, Playalinda Split NO HUNTING November 27 - Beach Road (Beach Road) and Scrub December 8, 2017 When to Apply Ridge Trail. We prohibit launching Second Phase: December 9, 2017 - Phase I Application: September 15-25, 2017 a boat and leaving vehicles parked January 31, 2018 Claim Deadline: October 09, 2017 for hunting purposes on Black Point Youth Waterfowl: February 3-4, 2018 Phase II Leftovers: October 12 until filled Wildlife Drive, Playalinda Beach Road (Beach Road) or Scrub Ridge Trail. Regular season: Quota Hunts Area 1 & What You Need to Know 4: November, December, and January n Biolab Road is a one-way road from n Phase I permits are issued by random north to south to Max Heck Road Regular season: Open Hunts Area 2 & drawing 3: November, December, and January and a two-way road from Max Heck n Remaining permits will be on a first Road to Playalinda Beach Road. come, first served basis Limited Entry/Quota Permits - n Legal shooting hours are ½ hour n Regulated by FWC To check for availability go to www. before legal sunrise until 12 noon. All MyFWC.com/hunting then go to To hunt waterfowl in areas 1 and 4 during waterfowl hunters must remove all “Permit Availability” the months of November, December, equipment and must be off the Refuge or January, you will need to purchase n Drawing results are typically posted by 1 pm daily. Permanent blinds are a Merritt Island National Wildlife on the FWC website within two weeks prohibited. Refuge Waterfowl Limited/Quota Permit after the end of the application period n Hunters may enter the Refuge no through the Florida Fish and Wildlife n If you are successful in the Phase I earlier than 4 am for the purpose of Conservation Commission’s (FWC) drawing you may claim your permit waterfowl hunting. Recreational Licensing Issuance Services online and print from your own printer n We prohibit hunting or shooting within System (RLIS). or claim your permit at a licensed 25 feet, or shooting from any portion of n Each permit costs $27.50 and is non- agent or tax collector office a dike, dirt road, or railroad grade. In transferable n If lost or stolen you may reprint your addition we prohibit shooting over any n You must be 16 years of age to apply permit at no cost from the online dike or roadway. website or for $2.50 from a licensed n Each hunter may purchase up to 3 n We allow hunting in four designated vendor, or you may download the permits per season areas of the Refuge as delineated in “FWC Fish/Hunt Florida App” and the Refuge hunting regulations map. n Each permit allows up to 3 guests; sync your license to your smart phone (adult is 18 and over) (youth 15 and n The use of internal combustion n If you have problems with issuance under) engines is restricted to the perimeter of your quota permit, please contact impoundment ditch at all times, n Preference points do not apply FWC at 850/488 3641 to reduce habitat degradation and n Each permit is area specific and for (Monday-Friday 8 am - 5 pm) damage to the marsh. Vessels may be specific date. See map for details. propelled outside the impoundment n The Refuge has no control over Waterfowl Management Notes perimeter ditches by push-poles, NASA’s closures, therefore refunds for Proper water level and adequate food paddles, or electric motors only. quota permits will not be provided availability are two very important Internal combustion engines must be aspects of waterfowl habitat. To ensure shut off while inside impoundments n You must have a picture ID, a Florida continuing high-quality habitat, marsh past the perimeter ditch. Scouting Hunting License, a self-issuing restoration projects were initiated. The must remain within the impoundment Refuge Permit (signed brochure), a objective is to enhance the perimeter ditches. Florida Limited/ Quota Permit, and all ecosystem for many different species appropriate state and federal license n The Indian River within the Refuge in coordination with mosquito control (youth must have a signed brochure). boundary adjacent to hunt areas 1 and operations. Restoring the marsh areas 4 is closed to all hunting. Access to n A Florida Wildlife Management Permit by reconnecting them to the river will all impoundments in areas 1 and 4 is is not required. allow for greater species diversity in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Hunt Zones

US 1 Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Hunt Areas

Waterfowl Hunt Areas

US 1 Refuge Boundary

Roads SR 3 Poll & Troll Zone Boundaries Pole & Troll ZoneZone Posted Channel Shiloh 5 Shiloh 3 Rd WSEG Rd Miles Shiloh 3 0 1 2 3 ±

PLEASE NOTE: Shiloh 2 Waterfowl hunting is only allowed in Shiloh Hunt designated waterfowl Hunt Areas 1 Beacon 42 Area 3 represented as shaded regions on the map. In Hunt Areas 1 and 4, hunting is not permitted outside designated hunt impoundments. Accessing hunt Hunt impoundments in Hunt Areas 1 and 4 from the Indian River Area 2 Lagoon is not permitted.

SR 3 Hunt Area 4 Bio Lab Road

L Pond Mosquito Playalinda Beach Atlantic Lagoon M Pond

Bio Lab Road

US 1

SR 3

SR 406 Refuge Visitor Center Beach Rd

SR 402 ¨¦§I 95 E.E. GatorGator Creek Gator Hunt Creek Area 1 Security Zone CatfishCatfish Ck.Ck. SR 406 No Public Entry SR 406 Peacocks Pocket Titusville

impoundments. It will also be a part of the (waterfowl food) to grow in the otherwise tampering with water control structures overall management of the Indian River nutrient-poor mud flats. This will help please call or contact the Refuge. If you Lagoon System in its entirety. reestablish a food chain and provide better have questions about this project, contact Short-term inconveniences to waterfowl food supplies to increase the quality of the Refuge Headquarters. hunters may be realized in some areas. habitat (and hunting) on a long-term basis. Lower water levels in various areas The Refuge is dependent on rainfall for on a rotational basis will allow plants fresh water. Therefore, if you see anyone